Schools shift latchkey programs to local YMCA
Schools shift latchkey programs to local YMCA
Dayton Daily News
By Margo Rutledge Kissell, Staff Writer
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Tightening budgets are prompting some school districts to outsource their school-age child care programs as they search for ways to save money or generate revenue.
The YMCA of Greater Dayton currently oversees child care programs in 28 schools, including Springboro, Miamisburg, West Carrollton and a number of Dayton Public schools. This fall, the nonprofit plans to partner with two other districts in the Miami Valley Huber Heights and Beavercreek.
Tim Helm, president and CEO of the YMCA, said more districts are linking up with the Y as they struggle with resources and dollars and look for places to save.
The YMCA serves approximately 1,100 Miami Valley children a day through its school-age and full-day child care programs, he said.
Huber Heights City Schools has contracted with the Y to run its child care program commonly known as latchkey that may be expanded to all five of its new elementary schools this fall. Currently, about 50 children throughout the district attend the latchkey program offered at one school, Kitty Hawk.
The YMCA also will run Northmonts latchkey program this summer and is close to finalizing a deal with Beavercreek City Schools to offer on-site child care at the districts largest elementary this fall.
Its a good partnership, said Helm of his organizations involvement with child care at Miami Valley schools.
Latchkey, often cheaper than traditional child care, is a popular service for many parents in the region who like the convenience of having before- and after-school child care in a safe environment. Its typically offered at the school, but sometimes children are transported to another facility, such as the local Y.
Huber Heights City Schools began offering latchkey at school about 19 years ago after receiving a grant from the Ohio Department of Education. That funding has long since disappeared and the district has been struggling since to make it work.
The idea was it would pay for itself and we havent been able to do that for the last five years, Superintendent William Kirby said.
The district sought outside proposals because it was running a $30,000 to $50,000 annual deficit on the program and was digging into the general fund to cover expenses.
Every year were in the red trying to run a latchkey program and we thought an outside agency could do it for less, he said.
One big expense for the district has been the cost associated with salaries and benefits of those running the latchkey program, Kirby said, noting the district will layoff eight latchkey employees, including the director.
The school district will get 2.5 percent of the revenue collected under the new arrangement with the Y.
Beavercreek City Schools doesnt currently offer before- or after-school child care in its schools, but Superintendent Nick Verhoff said theyre looking at it as a revenue-generating program.
The tentative plan is for that service to be offered at Main Elementary this fall because thats the only elementary with a cafeteria and gym.
The Y staff would operate the child care program at the school, which has about 950 students. Because about 60 students would fill up the program, its not clear if the service would be available to students at other elementary schools in the fall. But district officials have talked about expanding the program eventually.
Verhoff said the district could stand to gain maybe $5,000 to $6,000 out of it as parents pay for the service.
Its not a lot, Verhoff said, but its money we didnt have.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2094 or mkissell@DaytonDailyNews.com.